Modular technology furniture

ABSTRACT

Systems are disclosed that relate to modular furniture capable of providing conventional desk functions as well as integrated electronic components which house, store, and operate electronic devices, such as computers and associated devices. Furniture components of a traditional office are adapted to house a plurality of electronic components of a traditional computer system. Connectors, expansion slots, networking capabilities, and other storage units are provided within the furniture components enabling several electronic devices to be installed within the furniture components and communicate with each other, integrating a fully functional computer system into a classroom or office desk. The disclosed modular furniture systems provide multiple resources and functions in a small footprint and are useable in a variety of school, personal and work settings.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/882,114, filed Sep. 14, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,749,959; whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/246,696, filed Sep. 29, 2009; the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety into this disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to furniture. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to modular furniture combined with electroniccomponents.

2. Background of the Invention

Computer technology is a useful set of tools that enables a user toperform a number of simple to complex tasks, ranging from everydayscheduling and communication to long-term and complex projectdevelopment and design. However ubiquitous computers are, they have yetto make their way into the educational system as they have in mainstreamsociety; particularly in classrooms ranging from elementary school tohigh school. Typically, computers are deployed into the classroomsetting as single or multiple work stations, as a separate class subjectmatter, or as laptops carted from class to class. Full deployment hasyet to take place where every student has a computer and incorporatesthe use of the computer into daily class lessons and activities. This isbecause the addition of computers requires additional space orarrangements to the existing furniture or classrooms, and thus is noteasily accessible to students. Teachers and students often must makeseparate arrangements utilizing valuable instructional time to set upcomputers for use.

Some have developed a basic version of a laptop computer designed foruse in classroom settings with extremely tight budgets, for instance, inthird world countries. A popular version of one of these programs is the“one laptop per child” (OLPC) initiative, or the $35 laptop recentlyunveiled in India. As noble and ambitious as these ventures are, theyare still short-sighted in their approach. They neglect one of the corelessons of computer technology, that laptop computers are minimallyupgradable. As computer technology evolves at increasingly faster rates,laptops are disposed of while only desktop computers having separatecomponents and room for expansion manage to stay somewhat current. Adesktop computer is, in a sense, modular, as a user can upgrade acentral processing unit (CPU) without having to replace other componentssuch as motherboard, display, etc. However, even deploying desktopcomputers subjects educators to the myriad of struggles described above.

What is needed is a modular furniture system having electroniccomponents that conforms to the needs of the modern classroom, home orbusiness office. It should be easy to use and manufacture, and have asmall footprint to enable proper placement in rooms or locations of anysize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes systems and methods for integrating afully functional computer system into any classroom or office deskallowing the computer to become an easily accessible tool for theteachers, students, and office staff. Furniture components of atraditional office are adapted to house a plurality of electroniccomponents of a traditional computer system. The components are coupledtogether to form a modular furniture system, wherein access to theelectronic components is intuitive and comfortable for a user, whilebeing upgradeable and scalable for different uses and needs.Motherboards, output devices, and input devices are strategically housedwithin desks, chairs, etc., so that simply by flipping up a computerscreen from a top surface of a desk, and pulling out a keyboard, acomputer is ready to be used. When coupled with networking software andprogramming, the ways in which the present invention will enhance auser's experience are virtually limitless.

In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a modularfurniture system including a shell having a substantially planar uppersurface and one or more housing adapted to store a plurality ofelectronic components, a motherboard placed within a motherboard housingof the shell, the motherboard including at least a central processingunit (CPU) and a memory, a display device placed within a displayhousing of the shell and having a pivot point at a bottom of the displaydevice, such that a back surface of the display device becomes part ofthe upper surface of the shell when the display device is in a closedposition, an input device placed within an input device housing of theshell, a plurality of computer buses integrated within the shell totransmit data to and from the plurality of electronic components, and apower system integrated within the shell to power the plurality ofelectrical components from a single power source.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a modularfurniture system including a desk portion with a substantially planarupper surface, a housing portion adapted to store a plurality ofelectronic components, a display device placed within a display housingof the desk portion and having a pivot point at a bottom of the displaydevice, such that a back surface of the display device becomes part ofthe upper surface of the desk portion when the display device is in aclosed position, a motherboard enclosed within the display device, themotherboard including at least a central processing unit (CPU) and amemory, an input device placed within an input device housing of thedesk portion, a plurality of computer buses integrated within one ormore of the desk portion and the housing portion to transmit data to andfrom the plurality of electronic components, and a power systemintegrated within one or more of the desk portion and the housingportion to power the plurality of electrical components from a singlepower source.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a modularfurniture system including a chair portion including a seat portion anda back portion, a computer housing coupled to a bottom surface of theseat portion, a table portion coupled to the chair portion, the tableportion having a substantially planar upper surface and one or morehousing adapted to store a plurality of electronic components, a displaydevice placed within a display housing of the table portion, an inputdevice placed within an input device housing of the table portion, and amotherboard placed within the computer housing of the chair portion, themotherboard including at least a central processing unit (CPU) and amemory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B show a modular furniture system, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of a modular furniture system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a modular furniture system with computer components housedwithin a display, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 shows a modular furniture system having integrated input andoutput devices, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a modular furniture system having a fixedly coupled displayunit on a table portion, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 shows a modular furniture system having a projection displaycoupled to a table portion, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 shows a furniture system including a desk portion coupled to achair portion, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 8A-8D show various stages of a display integrated into a tableportion, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes low profile, highly modular furnituresystems for use in classrooms or office settings. Furniture componentsof a traditional office are adapted to house a plurality of electroniccomponents of a traditional computer system. The components are coupledto together to form a modular furniture system. Connectors, expansionslots, networking capabilities, and other storage units are providedwithin the furniture components enabling several electronic devices tobe installed within the furniture components and communicate with eachother. The present invention thus integrates a fully functional computersystem into a classroom or office desk, allowing the computer to becomean easily accessible tool for the teachers, students or office staff.

The usefulness of the present invention is not limited to the classroomsetting. There is applicability for the present invention design conceptin other settings such as offices, colleges, universities, andlaboratories. Integrating computer systems into everyday work spacesallows computers to become a tool as regularly used as a pen or ruler.

As used herein and throughout this disclosure, a computer system,computer, or microcomputer includes any combination of a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a memory, input/output (I/O) interfaces anddevices, and logic in the form of instructions. Examples of CPUs arecomputer processors (processing units), microprocessors, digital signalprocessors, controllers and microcontrollers, etc. The memory storesapplications, software, or logic. Examples of memories that may compriselogic include RAM (random access memory), flash memories, ROMS(read-only memories), EPROMS (erasable programmable read-only memories),and EEPROMS (electrically erasable programmable read-only memories).

“Logic”, as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to anyinformation having the form of instruction signals and/or data that maybe applied to direct the operation of a processor. Logic may be formedfrom signals stored in a memory. Software is one example of such logic.Logic may also be comprised by digital and/or analog hardware circuits,for example, hardware circuits comprising logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND,NOR, and other logical operations. Logic may be formed from combinationsof software and hardware. Computers may communicate with each other andwith other elements via a network, for instance, a wireless network, ora wireline network.

A “network” includes broadband wide-area networks such as cellularnetworks, local-area networks (LAN), wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), near-fieldcommunication (NFC) networks, etc. Communication is enabled by hardwareelements called “transceivers,” for instance, a Wi-Fi transceiver forcommunicating with a Wi-Fi network, and a BLUETOOTH® transceiver forcommunicating with a BLUETOOTH® device.

A modular furniture system is a combination of furniture items adaptedto be coupled with a combination of electronic devices in specificconfigurations. Examples of furniture items include but are not limitedto surfaces, legs and other supporting members, shelves, chairs, wheels,and other components commonly used in offices and classrooms today.Examples of electronic devices include but are not limited to computers,communication devices, input and output devices, peripherals, adapters,wiring, and other components necessary to operate a computer system ornetwork. The system is modular as it can be adapted to fit differentneeds. For instance, electronic devices coupled to a classroomchair/desk combination apparatus form a modular furniture system.Alternatively, systems according to the present invention may bepre-manufactured to be modular and incorporate the computer systems andelectronics as shown and described herein in this disclosure. Bothtypes, and their hybrids, are within the scope of the present invention.

For the following description, it can be assumed that mostcorrespondingly labeled structures across the figures (e.g., 101 and201, etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the samestructure and function. If there is a difference between correspondinglylabeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results ina non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particularembodiment, then that conflicting description given for that particularembodiment shall govern.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a modular furniture system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, thesystem includes a desk portion 100 having a top surface 101, and beingcoupled to a plurality of legs 103. Legs 103 are positioned so that topsurface 101 is substantially planar and relatively flat, and in parallelto a floor. Coupled to desk portion 100 is a storage portion 105, whichincludes a plurality of housings for electronic devices as well as roomfor drawers and other storage components. Together, desk portion 100 andstorage portion 105 form a shell adapted to house a plurality ofelectronic components. A display housing 109 is located within topsurface 101 of desk portion 100. Display 120 is coupled to desk portion100 via pivot points, thereby being adapted to be housed within displayhousing 109 when in a lowered state. As seen in FIG. 1B, a back surfaceof screen 120 lies flush with top surface 101 when display 120 is in alowered state. Referring back to FIG. 1A, speakers 121 are coupled to orhoused within display 120. However, they can be positioned elsewhere.

A retractable shelf 107 supports and houses input devices such as akeyboard 123 and a mouse 125. Among the plurality of housings withinstorage portion 105 are housings for a media drive 127 and memory cardreaders 129. Storage portion 105 also includes housings for ports suchas USB ports 131 and FireWire ports 133. An antenna 135 is coupled to anaccess point or other wireless transceiver enabling wirelesscommunication with other devices and networks.

Desk portion 100 is made of any natural or synthetic material that isfirm enough to tolerate the forces typical during regular use, includingthe weight of display 120 and storage portion 105. Additional supportingmembers/features may be included to support these forces. For instance,leg portions 103 may include cross bars connecting each other to form amore stable supporting frame for desk portion 100 and storage portion105. Storage portion 105 may be a shell that is hollow on the insideallowing for easy installation and removal of a plurality of electroniccomponents, and other computer components. For instance, electroniccomponents such as display 120, keyboard 123, media drive 127, etc., arein communication with each other and with a central processing unit viaa plurality of connectors or wires forming a computer bus (not shown).The computer bus carries signals and data including many differentformats and protocols to and from the electronic components. Display 120can be any type of display such as an LCD screen, OLED, touch-screen,etc. Media drive 127 includes disc drives such as DVD, CD, HD-DVD, etc.Memory card readers 129 include slots for secure digital (SD), and otherproprietary and open source memory card types and formats. Plug 140, viaa power cable, provides power to the electronic components via a powersystem.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of a modular furniture system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to FIG. 1A, thesystem includes a desk portion 200 having a top surface 201, legs 203,and storage portion 205. Additionally coupled to either or both ofstorage portion 205 and desk portion 200 is a housing 211 that enclosesmotherboard 213, storage units 215, and power supply 217. Motherboard213 includes at least a CPU and a memory bank including a plurality ofmemory units. The memory units include operating memory for the CPU, aswell as logic and programs such as a basic input/output system (BIOS),operating system, etc. Motherboard 213 further includes expansion slots,and potentially other components such as video processors, transceivers,and other microprocessors. Storage units 215 include hard disk drives(HDD), solid state drives (SSD), etc., arranged in one of severalconfigurations such as RAID, and communicate with motherboard 213 viaone of a computer bus that includes several transport mechanisms such asSCSI, SATA, etc. Further, the other storage components of the system ofFIG. 1A such as media drives 127 and 129 may communicate withmotherboard 213 via an ATAPI, USB, SATA, or other interface. A USBcontroller can be integrated within motherboard 213 and provide USBconnectivity to devices such as a keyboard, mouse, speakers, USB ports,etc. Alternatively, such devices can communicate via a transceiver 235,wherein transceiver 235 is a radio transceiver in communication with anetwork interface on motherboard 213. For instance, transceiver 235 canbe a BLUETOOTH (or equivalent) transceiver. Power supply 217 includes atransformer or adapter to receive power from an electrical outlet viaplug 240, and transform the voltage and current for use by theelectronic components of the system. Power supply 217 may include abattery and/or an uninterruptable power supply (UPS). Panel 212 acts asa cover for housing 211, providing quick access to upgrade motherboard213, storage units 215, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a modular furniture system is shown withcomputer components housed within a display 320, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, a desk portion 300 having a top surface301 has a storage portion 305 and is supported by legs 303. Further, adisplay 320 is coupled to top surface 301. However, in this exemplaryembodiment, a housing 314 is included within display 320. Housing 314includes motherboard 313, storage units 315, and a power supply 317.These components are in communication with display 320 via a computerbus (not shown). The computer bus also communicates with othercomponents that are not shown, such as input and output devices.Further, storage portion 305 includes audio, video, and other data ports334, such as HDMI, USB, FireWire, audio/video component, and similarinterfaces to peripherals and other external electronic components.Ports 334 are in communication with motherboard 313 via a computer bus.

The modular furniture system therefore provides a simple means forseparating the components of a traditionally unified computer system,and the ability to interchange and reconfigure these components fordifferent situations. The features described in the above embodimentsand in the below variations are combinable in several combinations. Forinstance, a power supply may be included within the storage portionwhile the computer components (motherboard, CPU, etc.) are stored withina display. The expansion ports may be distributed across differentportions of the system, and housing may be provided for several othercomponents such as printers, scanners, network interfaces, etc. Othercombinations will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in theart in light of this disclosure. Some of these combinations are shownbelow.

FIG. 4 shows a modular furniture system having integrated input andoutput devices, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a desk portion 400 is coupled to legportions 403 and a storage portion 405. Desk portion 400 is enhancedwith housings for speakers 421, display 420, and a gaming or othermanual controller 426. A display 420 rests on pivots and may be housedwithin display housing 409. Display 420 also includes a camera 419.Additionally, instead of a physical keyboard on a retractable shelf,table portion 400 includes a touch-sensitive region 423 that may beconfigured to form a keyboard. For instance, touch-sensitive region 423includes pressure sensors, or a plurality of capacitors arranged to formthe keys of a keyboard. Table portion 400 also includes atouch-sensitive pad 425 that may be used as a pointing device,equivalent to a mouse. Similar to other electronic components such asmedia drives 427 and 429, and expansion ports 431 and 433, the keyboard,mouse, speakers, and display communicate with a CPU via one or morecomputer buses that are not shown.

FIG. 5 shows a modular furniture system having a fixedly coupled displayunit on a table portion, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Instead of being coupled to desk portion 500 viapivots, display 520 is a monitor that is coupled to top surface 501 ofdesk portion 500. This allows for increased flexibility in situationswhere multiple displays may be used, or for markets where severaloptions for external displays exist. Further, ports 531 and 533 mayinclude VGA, HDMI, or other video output ports enabling connections todifferent types of display devices such as projectors, etc. Theremaining components are the same or equivalent as in the previousembodiments of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 shows a modular furniture system having a projection displaycoupled to a table portion, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. Instead of being coupled to desk portion 500 viapivots, or using an external display, desk portion 600 includes aprojector 622. Projector 622 can be enclosed within desk portion 600when not in use, and is raised and can be adjusted to display an image624 on a screen when in use. Image 624 is displayed on a wall behinddesk 600, or on a screen that is coupled to and extendible from deskportion 600. This allows for increased flexibility in situations wherelarger displays are needed, for instance, conference tables, classrooms,labs, etc. Further, ports 631 and 633 may include VGA, HDMI, or othervideo output ports enabling connections to different types of displaydevices such as projectors, etc. The remaining components are the sameor equivalent as in the previous embodiments of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 shows a furniture system including a desk portion coupled to achair portion, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. Desk portion 700 includes a substantially planar portion 701,and is coupled to chair portion 750 via connecting members 752. Thefurniture components of this embodiment generally resemble existingclassroom chair/desk combinations, except with the added electronicdevices and other features. For instance, chair portion 750 includesbeneath a motherboard housing 751, housing a motherboard and/or storageunits. The motherboard includes at least a CPU and a memory. The memoryincludes logic for operating the CPU and other components. Further, acomputer bus indicated by dotted line 753 traverses connecting members752 and provides a communication link for the other electroniccomponents of the system. Table portion 700 includes display storage 709for display 720, a shelf 707 for keyboard 723 and mouse 725, a CD/DVDdrive housing 728, and an expansion port housing 732. Further, anantenna 735 enables communication with a network or with otherelectronic components/peripherals. Antenna 735 is also coupled tocomputer bus 753. The motherboard within housing 751 may also include anetwork interface card (NIC) enabling communication over a network.Additionally, several combinations of the system may be connected toform a local network, wherein one modular unit is designated as aserver, or as an ad-hoc network with no centralized server. Modularunits within the network may communicate with each other and with aserver over one or more networks via antenna 735.

FIGS. 8A-8D show various stages of a display device 820 integrated intoa desk portion 800, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, a desk portion 800 has a top surface 801.Top surface 801 is adapted to receive a display holder 861, enclosing adisplay device 820. FIG. 8A shows the display holder 861 and displaydevice 820 in a closed position, with a top surface of display device820 being a part of top surface 801. In FIG. 8B, display device 820along with housing 861 is lifted off top surface 801. At this angle anddistance, display device 820 is visible by a user of the system.However, the display device may be brought forward as shown in FIG. 8C.Display device 820 and housing 861 are coupled via a pivot point suchthat when pushed forward, housing 861 pushes display device 820 forwardwhile retaining the original angle of display device 820. This ensuresthat a user will be able to view display device 820, especially in thecase of LCD displays. FIG. 8D shows a perspective view of the displaydevice 820 in a substantially unfolded position. Legs 803 support deskportion 800, and may include cross members, adapters to couple to a seatportion, as well as other electronic and furniture components that arenot shown.

In all of the above embodiments, it will be observed that although thefurniture components of the shell itself can have various designs andimplementations, the computer components and features are substantiallyconsistent. For instance, the motherboard housing contains amotherboard, a central processing unit (CPU) board, and may include ahard drive array for the system. The microprocessor module may interfacewith the other computer components via a module bay, which is a boxframe that contains standard interface connectors for the computer harddrive module. These interface connectors include connectors to thevarious computer buses that enable communication with the severalelectronic components. The motherboard housing and module bay may beshock resistant and waterproof. In addition to the CPU, each computerhard drive module may be equipped with wireless and wired networkingdevices. The computer hard drive modules will offer the options ofvarious software, including, for example, having Microsoft Windows, Mac,Linux, or any other operating system of choice preinstalled. There mayalso be an adapter for the computer hard drive module bay that convertsthe module bay into a docking station to substitute a laptop computer asthe hard drive for the present invention and allow the laptop tointerface with the other computer components integrated into the desk.

The computer screen or display can be, for example, a standard LiquidCrystal Display (“LCD”) or equivalent that will be removable for easyreplacement and repair. The display may be located on the top of thedesk and connect to an interface that allows the display to flip up whenin use and flip down into a display housing compartment when not in use.The display may be waterproof and shock resistant and when in the downposition the back of the display creates a water tight seal with thesurface of the desk. Further, a touchscreen display may serve as aTablet PC when paired with appropriate software.

In other words, the uses and applications of the present invention arevirtually limitless. The present invention may be used, for example, inplaces including but not limited to classroom settings of all levels,(primary, secondary, post-secondary), training environments, offices,cubicles, stadiums, restaurants/bars, airplanes, cruise ship cabins,coffee shops, etc. Other places for use are also possible and within thepurview of one having ordinary skill in the art after consideration ofthe present disclosure.

The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. Thescope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appendedhereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular furniture system comprising: a shellhaving a substantially planar, fixed position and unmovable uppersurface and one or more housings adapted to store a plurality ofelectronic components; and a moveable display housing set within aninterior portion of the upper surface such that the display housing issurrounded on each side by the upper surface, the display housing beingadapted to receive a display, and having a pivot point at a bottom ofthe display, such that a back surface of the display becomes flush withthe substantially planar upper surface when the display is in a closedposition, and the display is positioned completely above the uppersurface when the display is in an open position.
 2. The system of claim1, further comprising an input device placed within an input devicehousing of the shell.
 3. The system in claim 2, wherein the input deviceis a keyboard on a keyboard shelf that retracts and extends from withinthe shell.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computer busintegrated within the shell to transmit data to and from the pluralityof electronic components.
 5. The system of claim 4, further comprising apower system integrated within the shell to power the plurality ofelectrical components from a single power source.
 6. The system of claim5, further comprising a storage device integrated into the shell andcoupled to the computer bus and the power system.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the storage device is one or more of a hard disk drive (HDD),solid state drive (SSD), and digital video disc (DVD) drive.
 8. Thesystem of claim 5, further comprising a camera integrated into one ofthe shell and the display, and coupled to the computer bus and the powersystem.
 9. The system of claim 5, further comprising a speakerintegrated into one of the shell and the display, and coupled to thecomputer bus and the power system.
 10. The system of claim 5, furthercomprising a plurality of electronic expansion ports integrated into theshell and coupled to the computer bus.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the plurality of electronic expansion ports includes one or moreof Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire, HDMI, and audio/video (AV)ports.
 12. The system of claim 5, further comprising a wireless networkinterface coupled to the computer bus, the wireless network interfaceincluding one or more of a Wi-Fi interface, BLUETOOTH interface, andcellular interface.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the display isone of an LCD screen, a touch screen, and a projector.
 14. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a chair integrated with the shell.
 15. Amodular furniture system, comprising: a desk portion with asubstantially planar, fixed position and unmovable upper surface; aplurality of leg portions to support the desk portion; a housing portioncoupled to the desk portion and adapted to store a plurality ofelectronic components, the plurality of electronic components includingat least a display, a motherboard, input devices, and output devices;and a moveable display housing set within an interior portion of theupper surface such that the display housing is surrounded on each sideby the upper surface, the display housing being adapted to receive thedisplay, and having a pivot point at a bottom of the display, such thata back surface of the display becomes flush with the substantiallyplanar upper surface when the display is in a closed position, and thedisplay is positioned completely above the upper surface when thedisplay is in an open position.
 16. The system of claim 15, furthercomprising an input device housing within the desk portion to support aninput device.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the input device is atouch-sensitive portion of the upper surface.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the touch-sensitive portion is a keyboard.
 19. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the input device is a gaming controller.
 20. A modularfurniture system comprising: a chair portion including a seat portionand a back portion; a computer housing coupled to a bottom surface ofthe seat portion; a table portion coupled to the chair portion, thetable portion having a substantially planar, fixed position andunmovable upper surface and one or more housings adapted to store aplurality of electronic components; and a movable display housingpositioned within the table portion, the display housing being setwithin an interior portion of the substantially planar upper surfacesuch that the display housing is surrounded on each side by the uppersurface and being adapted to receive a display, such that a back surfaceof the display becomes flush with the substantially planar upper surfacewhen in a closed position, and the display is positioned completelyabove the upper surface when the display is in an open position.